Ardennes

Ardennes, wooded plateau, from 1,600 to 2,300 ft (488–701 m) high, in SE Belgium, N Luxembourg, and Ardennes dept., N France, E and S of the Meuse River. The plateau is cut into wild crags and ravines by rapid rivers. Agriculture and cattle raising are the main occupations of this sparsely populated region. Peat bogs are found in shallow depressions. In Germany, the Ardennes is continued by the Eifel. The chief cities (Liège, Namur) are in the Meuse valley. A traditional battleground, the Ardennes saw heavy fighting in both World Wars, notably in the Battle of the Bulge (Dec., 1944–Jan., 1945). Tourism in the area is economically important.